Control means



May 1, 1928. 1,668,526 I W. R. COX

CONTROL MEANS Filed April 27. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Warren E. CW

[22 enzfor May 1, 1928. 1,668,526

w. R. cox

CONTROL MEANS Filed April 27. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Warren R. Cqyf fzzvezzfor Aziomqga Patented May 1, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

wmnn n. cox, or nexnwoon, onmnssrenon ro nmv a. nouemsor IBIBONSON, MIGHIGAN.

CONTROL MEANS.

Application filed April 27, 1925. Serial No. 26,811,

My invention relates to means for controlling the-ignitiomand lighting of an automobile and the principal object of my invention is to provide a new and improved means of this type. In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part thereof 1 have shown, for purposes of illustration, one form which my invention may assume. In these drawings:

Figure l is a view showing this embodiment as it appears upon'the dash board of an automobile,

Figure 2'is :a section on the line 22 of Fi re1,while I igures 3 through 7 are sections on the lines 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6'-6, and 7--7, respectively, of Figure 2. U j v The lighting and ignition control means herein shown is entirely contained within a casing 11 which comprises a: tubular member 12 closed at one end by a terminal plate 13 having a portion 14 extending within the tubular member 12 and secured thereto by means of pins 65 and at the other end by a cup 15 securely fitting within the tubular member 12, secured thereto by means of pms 1 16 extending through the tubular member 12 J the'other end connectedby means of a com =28 having its ends connected by means of and the cup 15 into a switch base 17, and carrying by means ofgriyets 18 a face plate 19 provided with a 'pjluialityYof holes tor the reception of fastening means by which the entire control means may be secured to the dash board of an automobile. A

. Positioned within the tubular member 12 between the terminal plate 13 and the switch base 17, and held therein by means of insulation poured in place after the various parts have been assembled, is an ignition coil 21 comprising a suitable core 22, a suitable primary windin 23 having one end connected by means 0 a conductor 24 to a terminal 25 on the terminal plate 13 and ductor 26 to a terminal 27 on :theswitch base 17 and asuitable secondary winding conductors 29 and 30 to terminals 31 and 32 on the terminal plate 13. Also mounted Tupon the switch base 17 are a pair of termine-1s .33 and 34 connected by means of conductors 35 and 36 to terminals 37 and 38 carried by the terminal plate 13.

Mounted within an aperture 39 in the face plate 19and cup 15 is the casing 41 of a cylinder locksecured in position by means of a nut 42 cooperatively engaging the screw threaded exterior surface of the lock casing 41 and acting to clamp the face plate 19 and cup 15 between itself and a shoulder 43 carried by the lock casing 41. Rotatably mounted within this look casing 41 is a cylinder 44 provided with theusual vpin chambers 45 and key way 46, rotatable by means ofthe key 47 and also by means of a handle 48 clamped to the cylinder 44, and provided at its inner end with a, flat sided projection 49 adapted to carry and rotate an insulating disk 50 on which is mounted for rotation therewith a sprin switch arm 51 adapted to engage the swito base contacts 27, 33, and 34, and held against accidental displacement by means of a ball 52 of the switch arm 51 and arranged to seat in depressions 53 in the terminal 33.

This control means herein illustrated may be connected in circuit in a variety of waysbut I prefer to connect the terminal 37 and thus the battery terminal 33 on the switch base 17 throu h a conductor'59 with one terminal of a attery the other terminal of whichis connected through a conductor- 61 with one terminal of a lamp 62 and through a conductor 63 with the terminal 25 which is in turn connected through the conductor 24 to one terminal of the primary winding 23 of the coil 21. The remainin terminal of the lamp 62 is then connected through a conductor 64 to the terminal 38 .which is connected by means of a conductor 36 to the lamp terminal 34 on the switch base 17.

With the switch in that osition where the switch arm 51 contacts t e battery terminal 33 and ignition terminal 27 a circuit is completed from the battery 60 through positioned between the two leaves.

the conductor 59, terminal 37, conductor 35,- 1

battery terminal 33, switch arm 51, ignition terminal 27 conductor 26, primary winding 23, conductor 24, terminal 25, and conductor terminal 34, conductor 36, terminal 38, conductor 64, lamp 62, and conductor 61, back to the battery 60, lighting the lamp. When the switch is in that position where the switch rm 51 contacts the battery terminal 33 an the dead terminal 58 no circuit is closed. I

With these connections I find it convenient to provide ineans whereby the switch may be locked not only in its ofi position wherein the arm 51 contacts with the dead terminal 58 but also in the position wherein the arm 51 contacts with the lamp terminal '34. I therefore provide the lock casing 41 with two sets of pin chambers 54 and 55 each provided with a set of pins 56 adapted 'in the art that my invention is a to cooperate with the pins 57 carried by the pinchambers 45 in the lock cylinder 44 and preferably so positioned within the casing 41 as to aline with the pins 57 of the lock cylinder 44 when the switch arm is in engagement with either the lamp contact 34 or the dead contact 58 whereby the key 47 may be withdrawn and the switch locked in either of these ositions. Similarly, the key 47 cannot be withdrawn while the switch arm 51 is in engagement-with the ignition 9temina127 and the ignition circuit is closed.

From the above description it will beobvious to those skilled in the art that connection to that end of the primary coil connected to the conductor 26 may be made only through the switch, that this switch can be operated only-by means of the key, and that accordingly the ignitioncircuit cannot be completed through the coil in any manner exceptby authorized operation of the switch by means of the key. In, addition, it will also be obvious that this ignition circuit is open in either of the locked positions of the switch but that in one of these locked positions a circuit is completed through certain of the lamps, usually the dim and tail, which cannot be conveniently interrupted except after the insertion of the key 47 and will not be interrupted by children playing about the car while the caris parked. v

It will also be apparent to those skilled licable either in whole or in part to fie s other that automobile ignition and lighting, that the construction herein shown may be variously modified without departing from the spirit of m invention or sacrificing the advantages t erect, and that this disclosure is illustrative only'and thatmy' invention is not. limited thereto.

I claim:

1.111 a power plant for an automotive vehicle, a unit com rising: a theft-resisting casing provided with an element compartment, and with a control compartment closed against unauthorized access except through said element compartment; an element esincense thorized actuation of said control means,

from said condition; and filler means cooperating with said casing and said element to secure said element in position wherein said element cooperates with said casing and said filler means to block access to said control compartment through said element compartment and is held a ainst unauthorized removal from such position without destruction of at least an essential portion of said element. I V

2. In an ignition system of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft-resisting casing provided with a coil compartment, and with a control compartment closed against unauthorized access except through said coil compartment; the ignition coil of said systern, disposed at least partly within said coil compartment; control means within said control compartment settable into condition at least restricting the functioning of said coil; lock means for preventing unauthorized actuation of said control means from said condition; and filler means cooperating with said casing and said coil to secure said coil in position wherein said element coop erates with said casing and said filler means to block access to said control compartment through said coil compartment and is held against unauthorized removal from such po-' sition without destruction of at least an essential portion of said coil.

3. In a power plant for an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft;resisting casing closed at one end against at least unauthorized access through said one end; an-

element essential .for the operation of said power plant, receivable through the second end of said casing into position within said casing supported from said casing; lock-controlled control-means mounted in said casin between said element and said one'end an closed at one end against at least unauthorized access through said one end; an element essential in said system for the operation of said engine, receivable through the second end of said easing into position within said casing supported from said casing; lock:

controlled control means mounted in, said casing between said element and said one end and settable in condition at least restricting the functioning of said element; closure I means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized access through said second end; and connections, for connecting said unit in said system, accessible exteriorly I of said unit.

5. In an ignition system of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft-resisting easing closed at one end against at least unauthorized access through said oneend; the ignition coil of said system, receivable through the second end of said 'casinglinto position within said casing supported from said casing; lock-controlled control means mounted in said casing between said coil and said-one end and settable in condition at least restricting the functioning of said coil; closure I means for said second end for preventing at casing between said element and said-one endand connected in controlling relation with said element and settable in condition at W least restricting the functioning of said element; closure means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized access through said second end; and connections, for connecting said unit in said system,

accessible exteriorly of said unit.

7. In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft-resisting casing closed at one end against at least unauthorized access through said one end; the ignition coil of said system, receivable through the second end of said easing into position within said casing supported from said casing; lock-controlled switch means mounted in said casing between said coil and said one end and connected in controlling relation with said coil and settable in condition at least restricting the functioning of said coil; closure means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized access through said second end; and connections, for connecting said unit in said system, accessible exteriorly of said unit,

8. In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle,

vsettable in condition at least restricting the functioning of said element; closure means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized access through said second end; and connections, for connecting said unit in said system, accessible exteriorly of said unit.

9. In a power plant for an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft-resisting casing closed at one end against access through said one end; an element essential for the operation of said power lant, receivable through the second end 0 said casingcinto position within said casing supported from said casing; lock-controlled control means mounted in said casing between said element and said one end and settable ,in condition at least restricting the functioning of said element; closure means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized access through said second end; and connections, for connecting said unit in said power plant, accessible exteriorly of said unit.

10. In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle,

a unit comprising: a theft-resistingcasin closed at one end against access through sai one end; an element essential in said system for the operation ofsaid engine, receivable through the second end of said easing into position within said casing supported from said casing; lock-controlled switch means mounted in said casing on said one end and connected in controlling relation with said element and settable in condition at least restricting the functioning of said element; closure means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized ,access through said second end; and connections, for conmeeting said unit in said system, accessible exteriorly of said unit.

. 11. In a power plant for an automotive 1 vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft-resisting casing closed at one end against at least unauthorized accessthrough said one end; an

element essential for the operation of said power plant, receivable through the second end of said easing into position within said casing supported from said casing; loclrcontrolled control means mounted 111 said casing between said element and said one closure means for said second end for preventing access through said second end; and

connections, for connecting said unit in said power plant, accessible exteriorly of said unit. a

12. In a power plant for an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft-resisting casing closed at one end against access through said one end; an element essential end of said casing into position within said casing; enclosing filler means supporting for the operation of said power plant, receivable through the second end of said casing into position within said casing supported irom said casing; lock-controlled control means mounted in said casing between said element and said one end and settable in condition at least restricting the functioning of said element; closure means for said second end for preventing access through said second end; and connections,

for connecting said unit in said power plant,

accessible exteriorly' of said unit. a 13. In a power plant for an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a'theft-resisting casing closed at one end against at least unauthorized'access'through said one end; an

element essential for the operation of said power plant, receivable through the second said element from said casing; lock-controlled control means mounted in said casin hetween-sa id element and said one end an settahle in'condition at least restricting the functioning of said element; closure means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized access through said second end and connections, for connecting said unit in said power plant, accessible exterior ly of said unit. a

.14. linen ignition system of an internal comhustionengine of an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising; a theftresisting casing closed at one end against at least unauthorized access through said one end; the ignition coil of said system, receivable through the second end of said casing into position within said casing; surrounding filler means supporting said coil from said casing;'lockcontrolled control means mounted in said aeeenae casing hetween said coiland said one end and settahle in condition at leastrestricting so.

the functioning of said coil; closure means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized, access through said second vend; and connections, for conecting said unit in said system, accessihle exteriorly of said unit. r 15. In a power plantfor an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft-resisting casing closed at one end against at least unauthorized access through said one end; an element essential iorrthe operation of said power plant, receivable through the second end of said casing into position within said casing sppported from said casing; lockcontrolled control means mounted in said casing-between said element and said one end and settable in condition preventing functioning of said element; closure means for said second end for preventing at least unauthorized access through said second end; and connections, for connecting said unit in said power plant, accesihle exteriorly of said unlt.

'16. in an ignition'system for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a theft-resisting casing closed at one end against at least unauthorized access through said one end; an

element essential in said system for the oper-- ation of said on no, receivable'through the second end of said easing into position with-- in said casing sup orted from said casing;

lock-controlled switch means mounted in r I WARREN n. cox; 

